Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3,359, William Finch, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Finch, William
S. 3,359
CONTENTS
carded

Ohio. 22302
22302
William Finch
of Hamilton in the State of Ohio. who was a Private in the Co. commanded by Captain Mead. — of the Regt. commanded by Col. Webb. — in the line for two years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut. at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Oct. 33 and sent to Thomas Henderson, Cincinnati, O.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833. 200. Semant. allowance ending 4 Mar 34. 40.
$ 240
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. Palmer Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 8 Page 8,
1888 July 19. S. P. Cary — history — Prior
Date of death not on A. B.

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832.
The State of Ohio Hamilton County Set
on this tenth day of September 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Honourable Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting William Finch aged seventy three years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the follow- ing declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. Captain Abraham Mead Lieut. Henry Wareing Ensign Thomas Hobbes his field officers were Genl Sillaman Col Webb - at Green- =wich Connecticut and marched from there to New York and was stationed at Peck Slip - where his company joined the Regiment - and after remaining there for some time crossed over to Long Island and remained there until the British army effected a landing - and drove them off - and again crossed over to the City of New York - and marched to the White Plains and was engaged in the battle

at that place and after the battle was over received his discharge at that place having served eight months - this was in the year 1778 and returned home, and again entered the service in what was called the flying camp, and many served to the end of the war under many differing officers among whom were Captain Jos Knapp & Captain Ebenezer Knapp. his duty was to guarding the lines. to keep the disaffected from plunder ing the citizens that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
Sworn and Subscribed the day & year aforesaid
in open Court. Dan. Fann Clerk
William his Finch mark
We Isaac Maring and Cyrenius Legit residing in the County aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Finch who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 73 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Isaac Maring
Sworn to & Subscribed before me in open court 10 Sept 1832 Dan Fann Clerk

Interrogatories propounded by the Court to the applicant
1 Where and in what year were you born Ans In the yr 1759 at Greenwich 60 n 2 Have you any record of your age and if where is it
Ans None that I know of.
3 Where were you living when called into the service where have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live
Ans In the place where I was born; since the the Revolutionary war I followed the sea for 17 years. I removed to this state three since years. I now reside in this 60 n 4 How were you called in to the service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute & if a substitute for whom -
Ans The 8 months tour I enlisted in the flying camp & volunteered.
5 State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops where you served such Continental & militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of yr service
Ans Genl Putnam Genl Mead the general circumstances of my service are contained in my declaration
6 Did you ever receive a discharge from the service & if so by whom was it given & what has become of it

And I received a discharge from my officer which has long since been lost
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to yr character for veracity & their belief of yr services as a soldier of the Revolution
Ans Esqr E Baldwin John Armstrong Esqr Col Leonard
Sworn to & subscribed the day and yr afo d in open Court.
Danl. Gano Clerk P.T.
William his Finch mark
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogation as prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states & the Court further certifies that Cyrenius Higginbotham & Isaac Waring who has signed the preceding certificate are residents of the County aforesaid and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
The State of Ohio } Hamilton County } S t
I Daniel Gano Clerk Pro Tem of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Finch for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Cincinnati this 10 th September 1832
Danl. Gano Clerk P.T.

March 3, 1938
William Finch S. 3359 BA-4/AWF
The Quartermaster General Memorial Branch War Department Washington, D. O.
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of William Finch who served in the Connecticut militia, and died in Hamilton County, Ohio.
The data given herein were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 3359, based upon the military service of William Finch in the War of the Revolution.
William Finch was born in the year 1759 in Greenwich, Connecticut. The names of his parents were not given.
While a resident of Greenwich, Connecticut, William Finch enlisted sometime in 1778, served as a private in Captain Abraham Mead's company, Colonel Webb's Connecticut regiment, was stationed on Long Island at the time the British occupied New York, was in the battle of White Plains, was discharged soon after, length of service eight months. After his return to Greenwich, he served at different times as a private in the Connecticut troops until the end of the war, amounting in all to about sixteen months, part of the time under Captains Joseph Knapp and Ebenezer Knapp.
After the Revolutionary War, William Finch "followed the sea" for seventeen years; he moved about

1839 to the State of Ohio.
William Finch was allowed pension on his application executed September 10, 1832, at which time he was living in Hamilton County, Ohio.
The application for headstone for William Finch is returned herewith. There was no correspondence enclosed.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Rev War
3359 INVALID.
1935-Nov. 12 - H int. to Mrs. Oscar T. Finch - SLL 1935-Feb. 18 - H int. to Raymona Kaiser - SLL 1935-Mar 3 - H int. to memo. Branch Aug
File No. 3359
William Finch
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: — Vol. A , Page 124
[Arrangement of 1870.]

20.302
William Finch
Ohio
Adm 2 years.
$80
Thomas J Henderson
Cincinnati
Ohio

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Smith which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service ? yes with affidavits
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ? No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had ?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service ?
XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily ? And, if not, which of them is not so answered ? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

War Department Pension Office 27 th July 1833.
Sir
The evidence in support of the claim of William Tinet has been again examined. — As the brief of objections which accompanied the papers is not returned, we are unable to say whether the present objection was then noticed, if not, it was in consequence of the hurry in the great press of business.
The applicant will therefore amend his declaration by showing the different hours he whilst in the flying Camp. See note E.
I am Sir
Very Respectfully Your obed Servt J. L. Edwards
Thomas S. Henderson Esqr Cincinnati Ohio

Cincinnati Sept. 11th 1833 Dr Sir I again return the papers of William Finch amended as directed by your letter of Instructions - Respectfully J S Edwards Esq. Thomas H. Henderson Comr of Pensions

The State of Ohio City of Cincinnati
Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Notary Public within and for said City William Finch the person named in the annexed declaration to me person- ally known who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequ- ent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below & in the following grades - For eight months service as a private in Captain Abraham Meads Company as shown by my declaration For sixteen months I served as a private in the flying camp service under different officers the names of which I cannot now recollect making my whole term of service twenty four months - and for such service I claim a pension
William his Finch Sworn and subscribed Before me this 11th day of September A D 1835
Given under my hand and seal of Office the day and year aforesaid
Thomas J. Henderson Notary Public

Court of Common Pleas June Term
1833
State of Ohio } Hamilton County } Sch. of Application for a pension under the act passed June 7 th
1833 on this day to wit the 17 th day of June 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable Judges of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County now sitting William Finch the applicant named in the annexed declaration "when the following Interrogatory was propounded by the Court to the applicant -
2 d Have you any Record of your age if so where is it
Ans None at all
William Finch mark
Sworn and subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid
Dan. Fano Atty P.O. T. H. & P. Ohio
I James Lyon a clergyman residing in the County aforesaid hereby certify that I am well acquainted with William Finch who has subscribed and sworn to the above and annexed declaration that I believe him to be seventy three years of age and that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion

James Lyon Jr. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Dan. Gano Clk P. T. H. Cps. Ohio
And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that James Lyon who had signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County aforesaid and is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
The State of Ohio } Hamilton County }
I Daniel Gano Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas pro Tem within and for said County do hereby certify that the above and foregoing contains the additional  original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of William Finch for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 17th day of June A.D. 1833
Dan. Gano Clk P.T. H. Cps. Ohio.

RAMONA KAISER
CEDAR TERRACE, R. F. D. #1
MADISONVILLE, OHIO
February 1, 1938
Pension Dept., War Department, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
I would like to know the pension number and date of expiration of a William Finch , private soldier from Connecticut, in the American Revolution; and who later moved to Hamilton County, Ohio. I would appreciate such information, as soon as it is possible.
Sincerely,
Ramona Kaiser

Portland, Indiana Sept.16,1935
Veterans Administration Bureau of Pensions Washington D. C.
Dear Sir:
William Finch , a Revolutionary Soldier who was born about 1759 in Connecticut and died in Ohio, tradition is that he was buried in Hamilton County about 1849.
Among the Connecticut Pensions there is a William Finch in Ohio in 1832 listed as a private ,S 3359 File. Will you kindly examine this pension and give your charges for a Photostatic copy of same if there are two sons named among the children as follows: Thomas Hamilton Finch born Aug.4,1784; John ; and probably a son Milton Finch. Would appreciate an early answer. Above Thomas H. Finch died Nov.3,1845 some four or five years before his father (William) did.
Sincerely,
Hazel Finch
Portland , Indiana
R.R.# 2 Box 4.
(Mrs. Oscar T. )

February 13, 1938.
Ramona Kaiser Cedar Terrace, R.F.D. 1, Madisonville, Ohio.
BA-J/ILL William Finch S. 3359
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of William Finch of Connecticut, who moved later to Hamilton County, Ohio.
The data given herein are shown in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 3359, based upon service of William Finch in the Revolutionary War.
William Finch was born in the year 1759, in Greenwich, Connecticut; the names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Greenwich, Connecticut, he enlisted sometime in 1776, served as a private in Captain Abraham Mead's company, Colonel Webb's Connecticut regiment, was stationed on Long Island at the time the British occupied New York, was in the battle of White Plains and was discharged soon after, having served eight months. After his return to Greenwich, he served at different times as a private in the Connecticut troops until the end of the war, amounting in all to about sixteen months, a part of the time under Captains Joseph and Ebenezzer Knapp, the names of other officers not given.
After the Revolutionary War, William Finch followed the sea for seventeen years. He moved about 1829, to the State of Ohio.
William Finch was allowed pension on his application executed September 10, 1832, at which time he resided in Hamilton County, Ohio. The soldier made no reference to wife or children.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following:
William Finch Certificate #22302 Issued October 8, 1853 Rate $80 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Ohio Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

November 12, 1935.
Mrs. Oscar T. Finch R. Route #2, Box 4 Portland, Indiana.
BA-J/ILL William Finch S. 3359
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to cost of photostatic copies of papers on file in Revolutionary War claim for pension, S. 3359, based upon service of William Finch in that war, provided the names of his sons, Thomas Hamilton Finch and Milton Finch, are shown.
The papers in the pension claim cited above have been examined and the names of the sons Thomas and Milton are not recorded. It is believed, however, that the record of this soldier might be of interest to you. It is given herein as found in said claim for pension. Mr. Finch
William Finch was born in the year 1759, in Greenwich, Connecticut; the names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Greenwich, Connecticut, he enlisted sometime in 1776, served as private in Captain Abraham Mead's company, Colonel Webb's Connecticut regiment, was on Long Island at the time the British occupied New York, was in the battle of White Plains and was discharged soon after, having served eight months. After his return home, he served at different times as private in the Connecticut troops, amounting in all to about sixteen months, under Captains Joseph and Ebenezer Knapp, and others not named.
After the Revolutionary War, the soldier "followed the sea" for seventeen years. He moved to the State of Ohio about 1829.
William Finch was allowed pension on his application executed September 10, 1832, at which time he resided in Hamilton County, Ohio. He made no reference to wife or children.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension,

name and address of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of William Finch, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:
William Finch Certificate 22302 Issued October 8, 1833 Rate $80 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832. Ohio Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.